Around the UK in 80 Venues: Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre

Location: Oasis Leisure Centre, North Star Avenue, Swindon, England

Capacity: 3,000 standing or 1,620 seated

Come to see: Rock legends and big name chart stars, alongside extreme fighting, boxing and martial arts! The venue is situated within the walls of "Swindon's premier fun pool" and provides the Wiltshire town with an array of musical entertainment. On any given evening you might happen upon the Saturdays, Kasabian or a British Welterweight title fight.

The atmosphere: Distinctly energetic. Aside from its other life as a place for sports, leisure and recreation the Oasis is the only place in town to see major UK and international music talent. When bands book a show here, saving the good folk of Swindon the 40-mile drive to either Reading in the east or Bristol in the west, they're given a rapturous reception.

You saw them here first: The centre opened in 1976 but details on early performances are sketchy. The earliest recorded date Spinner could find listed took place on March 25, 1978 and featured performances by Eddie and the Hotrods, Radio Stars and Squeeze. A couple of months later, on May 8, AC/DC took to the stage to salute those Swindonians who were about to rock.


Claim to fame: The Oasis will forever be remembered as the venue responsible for giving a certain Burnage-based band called Rain a new name. Legend has it that while his brother Noel was touring the world as a roadie for bowl-headed Hammond organ-lovers the Inspiral Carpets, Liam Gallagher spotted a poster on his wall advertising a show at the venue. Its name apparently captured his imagination, and despite Noel's initial concern that it sounded a bit too reggae, he nicked it and re-christened his band. Noel returned from his travels, joined Oasis' ranks as guitarist and songwriter-in-chief, and the rest, as they say, is history.

You should also know: Beneath its distinctive dome there's fun for all the family. In fact you'd do well to arrive long before show time and take advantage of the Lagoon Pool. Here you can experience a tropical break, whatever the weather, hurtle down three hydro-slides, dodge the water cannons and experience the powerful swell created by the giant wave machine. And all before the support band takes to the stage.

Booking now: Massive Attack, Morrissey, Dizzee Rascal, Motorhead, Lily Allen, Will Young, Alice Cooper, Basement Jaxx.